Spindle construction for electric switches.



M. GUETT.

SPINDLE cousmucnow FOB ELECTBPC SWITCHES.

. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 25. 1916.

1,251,772. Patented Jan. 1, 1918.

[H van for QAVtion for electric switches.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HONROE GUETT, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIG-NOR TO THE HART & HEGEMANMANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OFCONNECTICUT.

Specification of Letters rate lit.

Patented Jan. 1,1918.

Application filed October 25, 1916. Serial No. 127,537.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MONROE Gnn'r'r, a citizen of the United States,residing at Hartford, in the county .of Hartford and State ofConnecticut, have'invented certain new' and useful Improvements inSpindle Construction for Electric Switches, of which the following isaspecification.

Thisi'vention relates to spindle construc- I use the title spindleconstruction for the reason that the invention includes a spindle and awasher associated therewith. These elements can, however, be employedseparately in any given organization, although they cooperate in ahighly advantageous way when associated together. One of the objects ofthe invention is the provision of a spindle which can be inexpensivelymanufactured. The washer to which I have alluded is simple inconstruction, can be readily applied and removed, and when in positionacts eficiently as a stop, which is one of its several purposes.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of the presentspecification I have shown in detail one convenient form or embodimentof the invention which will be set forth fully in the followingdescription. I do not restrict myself to this disclosure; I

may depart therefrom in several respects within the scope of theinvention defined by the claims following said description.

Referring to said drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a snap switch including spindleconstruction involving the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view of the spindle with several of the washers connectedtherewith, the washers being in section.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the notched portion of the spindle and thewasher, the dotted lines and arrow showing a way of connecting thewasher.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line H of Fig. 2, looking in thedirection of the arrow. A,

Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2, of a modified form of spindle.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a different form of washer.

Like characters refer to like parts throughout the several views whichare on difierent scales.

As will be understood the spindle mechanism can be incorporated inswitches of various kinds. As a matter of fact the spindle and washercan be used in other connections. In Fig. l I have shown an electricsnap switch which generally speaking is along the lines of that setforth in my copending application, Serial No. 119,7 35, filed September12, 1916. The invention as already observed resides in the spindle andwasheror washers connected therewith. In said Fig. 1 the switch thereinshown comprises a body such as that denoted by 2 and which may be madeof any suitable insulating material such as porcelain or composition.This body or base 2 is equipped with the usual contacts and wireconnections as common in the art and which therefore, require noillustration or description. As shown the base or body 2 has a' centralperforation or hole 3 to receive the spindle 4. In switches, and otherappliances it is the custom to make this spindle circular or round. Itwill be noted that the spindle 4 is flat. Such character of spindlepossesses the requisite strength, and rigidity and facility ofoperation, but the important point is the fact that it can be made in avery inexpensive manner, which is certainly a matter of consideration.This spindle can by the aid of suitable dies or otherwise be readilystamped from sheet metal, and when so stamped, it is ready orpractically ready for incorporation in a switch or susceptible of otheruse. The spindle 4 is rotary and it is held in assembled relation withthe base or body 2 by the superposed washers 5 and 6, the washer 5 beingdisposed in a counterbore or cavity 7 in the under side of the base,while the Washer 6 is situated in a practically similar counterbore 8 inthe upper surface of the base or body. These washers 5 and 6, as willhereinafter appear, involve one of the features of the invention.' Theyare in fixed relation with the spindle. Between the washer 5 and thebody 2 may be interposed a washer 9 of ordinary type, which engages theupper surface of the counterbore or chamber 7. The upper washer 6 asshown is contiguous to the bottom of the counterbore or charm her 8.These two washers 5 and 6 with the cooperating washer 9 position thespindle 4 and affect in no wise its free turning. This turning may beeither back and forth about an axis, or it may be continuously rotative.To operate the spindle 4 it may be equipped with a button as 10, theupper reduced end 11 of the spindle being threaded as at 12 to receivethe button. For further security the button or handle 10 of insulatingmaterial as usual, may be held to the spindle by a pin as 13. Thethreads 12 can be formed on the spindle 4 at any suitable time, forinstance after it is blanked out.

Surrounding the spindle 4 in the cavity or chamber .8 is what in myprior application I- term an actuator 14, this actuator being situatedbetween the washer .6 and washer 15 which also involves the invention,the two washers 6 and 15 properly confining the said actuator. Thisactuator is cooperative with a switching -member as 16 against which oneend of the coiled spring 17 bears, this spring at its other end engagingagainst a washer 18 also including the invention. As a matter of factthe washers 5, 6, 15 and 18 are all of similar construction. They varysomewhat in size, but this is merely a matter of proportion. The washer18 acts as a stop for the spring 17 which is coiled about the spindle 4.In some cases the upper washer 18 need not be provided. As a matter offact it is not necessary that the spindle be furnished with any of thesewashers, for equivalent stop or analogous means might be substituted forthe washers. In Fig. 5 I show a spindle 19. This spindle 19 is stampedfrom flat stock. Its upper reduced end is threaded at 20 to receive abut ton as 10 as already described, and its side edges are shownfurnished with mating or complemental notches 21 to receive washers as5, 6 and 15 as will hereinafter more particularly appear. This form ofspindle 19, however, has no upper washer as 18 described in connectionwith the spindle 4. Instead of this said spindle 19 is furnished withthe lateral projections 22 which are in alinement transversely of saidspindle 19 and which collectively present an abutment for the upper endof a switch member controlling spring as 17.

The spindle 4 has as shown four pairs of notches 23 in its side edges,the notches of the respective pairs being in alinement with each othertransversely of said spindle and being adapted to receive the sides ofthe respective washers. A detailed description of one washer will applyto the others, and in this connection reference may be had to Fig. 3which is assumed to be illustrative of the washer 5. Said washer is fiatand can also be stamped from sheet metal. It is of loop or practicallyelliptical form, and is sulficiently resilient to permit the approachand recession relatively of the sides, this being to obtain a snappingeffect as will hereinafter appear. On the inner faces of the sides ofthe said washer are locking or holding spurs or barbs 24 which extendinwardly, these locking or positioning barbs or spurs having fiat faces25, the distance between the parallel planes, of which is approximatelyequal to the thickness of the spindle 4. In applying the washer 5, it isslipped over the spindle 4 until it occupies practically the dotted lineposition in Fig. 3 when the spindle and washer are relatively turned. Inthe present case I have assumed that the washer 5 is turned from thedotted line to the full line position as indicated by the arrow. On thismotion of the washer the sides thereof which are then in the notches 23in proximity to the respective pointed projections or spurs 24, strikediagonally opposite corners of the walls of said notches so that on thefinal movement of the washer, the sides thereof are expanded so thatwhen the washer is finally seated in the two notches as shown by fulllines in said Fig. 3, the sides will hug the bottom walls of saidnotches and at the same time the flat surfaces of the projections orspurs 24 will abut against opposite faces of the fiat spindle near theouter sides thereof and just inside the notches as also illustrated insaid figure. This provides a very substantial and secure way of holdingthe washer in position, the diagonally opposite or transversely out ofline projections abutting in a firm manner against the opposite faces ofthe spindle.

The washer hereinbefore described is in the form of a closed loop. InFig. 6 I show a washer in the form of an open loop. This washer isdenoted by 30. It is practically U-shaped, the sides having the interiorprojections 31 constructed and acting exactly like the projections 24hereinbefore described. The washer 31 is resilient, and its sides whenthe washer is set embrace the shank or equivalent part exactly as fullyset forth.

What I claim is:

1. A fiat spindle of the class described having stops at differentpoints in its length and in hugging engagement therewith.

2. A fiat spindle of the class described having notches in its sideedges in transverse alinement with each other.

3. A washer having an elliptical opening,

the wall of which has diagonally opposite interior projections. 4. Awasher having an elliptical opening, the wall of which has interiordiagonally opposite projections, the adjacent faces of which are flat.

5. A fiat spindle combined with a resilient washer hugging said spindleand constituting a stop.

1,251,772 r t g 6. A. flat spindle of the class described jectionsprovided with fiat faces fitting fiatcombined with a washer surroundingthe wise against opposite faces of the spindle. 1e spindle and inhugging resilient engage- In testimony'whereof I aflix my signature menttherewith. in the presence of two witnesses.

5 7. A fiat spindle of the class described MONROE GUETT. having notchesin its side edges, a washer Witnesses: j fitted in the notches, huggingthe inner walls E. C. SWAN,

thereof and having diagenally opposite pro- HEATH SUTH RLAND.

